enchantedjewels

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

Why not good news instead? Making and designing jewelry is a creative, artistic endeavor. To feel inspired I need to be a in cheerful, mellow state of mind where ideas can flow freely and I can act on them. All of us, whether in an office, school ,business of any type do our best work and are happiest and most creative when not weighed down by the bad news of the world around us. So how can you avoid this complete downer?

Instead of checking out the major news sources who make their living by reporting only the worst possible stories in the most horrifying terms opt instead for the "good news" channels. Those who report on the wonderful things many people in the world do every day.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Gemstone Metaphysical lore Q. I figured that Quartz types needed a post all by themselves!

QUARTZ

The ancient peoples thought it was petrified ice. A belief held as late as 1777.

Roman
ladies carried crystal spheres to cool their hands during hot weather.
Roman armies used it to focus sun’s rays to cauterize wounds.

Throughout
Europe, Ireland and England, many crystals set in metal bands were
found; it was believed to be protection against ill wishing.

To
the Japanese it is a symbols of eternity and to the Chinese it is a
stone of concentration. In Australia and New Guinea it is used to
produce rain and in South America it’s worn to repel evil dreams and as
protection from danger.

It
is said to be an emotional balancer, repels and destroys negative
energy; stores and transmits energy. Wearing a piece of Quartz is said
to change your luck.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Onyx
seals were popular with the ancient Romans. One English church used a
healing onyx for years. It is worn in India as protection from the evil
eye.

Today is worn to gain emotional balance, self control and for protection.

PEARL

According
to legend: In The Orient - drops of heavenly dew fell from the Moon, at
the time of the full moon, and were caught by oysters. The dew hardened
into pearls. They believed that pearls shone at night. The ancient
Hindus believed that occasionally pearls could be found in the stomach,
forehead or brain of elephants. They were powerful talismans against
danger. Pearls are associated with the moon and therefore representative
of lovers.

Ancient
Egyptians and mediterranean people considered this tone sacred and it
was much prized. Romans wore it for protection and to ward off illusion
and depression. In the Middle Ages, it was worn to gain foresight,
inspiration and often was used in religious jewelry. The Aztecs,
Toltecs, Incas and Egyptians used Peridot to calm,purify and balance
the physical body.

Today it is said to reduce stress, stimulate the mind,aid intuitions, calm emotions and stimulate growth and change.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Ancient
Egyptians used emeralds around 2000 B.C.. Most mines at the time were
in Upper Egypt near the Red Sea. Most famous mine was in Mt. Zabarah and
said to belong to the Queen of Sheba. Romans believed nothing evil
would stay in the presence of Emerald; if powerless to repel misfortune,
it was believed the stone would fall from its setting as a warning.
Nero watched gladiator fights thru an emerald because he believed the
stone protected his eyes and revealed the truth.

An old belief says emerald will change color if lies & treachery are planned within its vicinity.

In India and Egypt, it was said to give the gift of memory and good luck.

Mystical significance to Christianity is triumph over sin.

Today,
it’s used to ward off negativity, attract prosperity, peace, balance,
love, healing and patience. Strengthens artistic abilities, opens the
way to new beginnings.

FLUORITE

Ancient Egyptians carved it and made into statues and scarabs. The Chinese carve it into figures.

Today,
it is used to help ground nervous energy, cleanses the aura, increases
concentration. Nicknamed “genius stone” as it’s said to be excellent for
study or work; focuses the mind.

JADE

A
stone used by ancient midwives to aid childbirth. In Ancient Egypt it
was given as a gift that brought good fortune. In China and the Far
East, bangles were worn for physical strength and to throw off illness.
Jade butterflies were exchanged between engaged couples to ensure
happiness.

Jade
is popular with racing enthusiasts as it’s said to draw success. Said
to attract courage, justice and wisdom. It helps to solve problems and
is an excellent stone for business people and musicians; brings calm,
peace, harmony and releases tension.

JASPER

The Anodyne Necklace, valued in England at one time, was worn to treat stomach troubles.

The Egyptians used Jasper to protect against enemies, wild animals and fear.

Green
Jasper is worn for good luck. Brown, multicolored is worn to help keep
your feet on the ground and not get caught in extreme emotions.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

This
stone was used by the ancient Egyptians. The Leyden Papyrus says that
ti will open all doors and break down all walls. The Greeks and Romans
used it for endurance and to bring renown. The Gnostics for prolonging
life and to bring wealth. Ancient physicians for stopping the flow of
blood from wounds and the Chinese to stop nosebleeds and prevent kidney
stones.

Ancient
cultures used this stone in seal rings because it easily separates from
wax or clay. In the Middle Ages it was used to protect against the
evil eye. The Moslems call this the “Mecca Stone” said to fulfill all
desires and bring happiness. Ancient physicians used this to stop
bleeding, aid in childbirth and treat jaundice.

Said
to give courage, protection, a cheerful mind, help lower back trouble,
strengthen concentration, balance creativity and organizational
abilities and follow thru on plans.

CHRYSCOLLA

This was used as a musical amulet. For centuries, musicians used it to heal throat and lungs.

It
helps to clear old resentments, fears, guilt and tension. Aids in
forgiving people. It calms the emotions, brings inner strength and
enhances creativity and communication.

CORAL

Legend:
Medusa’s(snake headed monster whose gaze said to turn men to stone)
death at the hand of Perseus (Greek hero). After her death, he put her
severed head into a bag and started the journey home. He rested beside
the sea and put the bag down on a bed of seaweed and brushwood at the
edge of the waves. Medusa’s power and blood leaked out of the bag and
turned the seaweed and brushwood to stone. Sea nymphs came and carried
that to the ocean floor where it became the first coral beds. So, the
Greeks call red coral Medusa’s Blood and The Ocean’s Tree Of Life.

The
ancients used coral for protection. Italy - It is common even today to
see little coral hands with closed fist and index and little finger
extended used as pendants to protect against evil eye. Mediterranean
vessels nail red coral to the mast to guide them safely home. The Pueblo
Indians consider it to be one of the four elements of Road of Life.

Said to be for emotional openness, love, life energy, protection and to prevent accidents.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

I use lots of gems and minerals in the jewelry I create and I figured that it would be interesting and helpful to list the historical and metaphysical lore of the stones.

I am attracted to different stones at different times and have found that I seem to be attracted to the one or two at any time that fit what I am experiencing in the world.

So, below you will find a list of the stones that begin with A (of course!) that I use in making jewelry now. I will post an entry for each "letter" at least one per week.

Hope you find this interesting and helpful.

History and Use

Of Gemstones

AGATE

A
belief held for centuries is that Agate protects against stumbling and
falling. In the 1500’s in Italy it was used to turn away lightning and
the destructive power of storms. People in Western Africa prefer white,
green and red for positive effects and to guard against snake bite,
paralysis and mental illness. In Ancient Britain, it was used to
prevent falls and guard against skin disease. In the Middle East - To
purify the blood.

Wearing
Agate is said to prevent sea sickness and in a ring or pendant, it
promotes deep sleep, calmness, good health, long life and will sweeten
the disposition.

BLUE LACE AGATE

This gives a sense of security, helps you to handle new situations and softens stubbornness.

MOSS AGATE

The
Greek Orpheus said to wear this was to receive divine favor and aid.
In Europe and England in the 1800’s, it was used for good luck.

Said to draw good health, long life, connect to nature energies, bring wealth and happiness.

AMAZONITE

This was known and used by ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians and others as well as Central and South America.